Touchable 3D hierarchically structured polyaniline nanoweb for capture and detection of pathogenic bacteria.

A bacteria-capturing platform is a critical function of accurate, quantitative, and sensitive identification of bacterial pathogens for potential usage in the detection of foodborne diseases. Despite the development of various nanostructures and their surface chemical modification strategies, relative to the principal physical contact propagation of bacterial infections, mechanically robust and nanostructured platforms that are available to capture bacteria remain a significant problem. Here, a three-dimensional (3D) hierarchically structured polyaniline nanoweb film is developed for the efficient capture of bacterial pathogens by hand-touching.

Facile Formation of a LiF-Carbon Layer as an Artificial Cathodic Electrolyte Interphase through Encapsulation of a Cathode with Carbon Monofluoride.

Lithium batteries that utilize a lithium anode and a high voltage cathode are highly required to meet the growing demand for electrification of transportation. High voltage lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO, LCO) can be a promising choice for lithium batteries with high energy and power. However, intrinsic structural instability at high voltages (>4.

Performance of the nasal photoplethysmographic index as an analgesic index during surgery under general anaesthesia.

In a previous study, we developed a new analgesic index using nasal photoplethysmography (nasal photoplethysmographic index, NPI) and showed that the NPI was superior to the surgical pleth index (SPI) in distinguishing pain above numerical rating scale 3. Because the NPI was developed using data obtained from conscious patients with pain, we evaluated the performance of NPI in comparison with the SPI and the analgesia nociception index (ANI) in patients under general anaesthesia with target-controlled infusion of propofol and remifentanil. The time of nociception occurrence was defined as when the signs of inadequate anaesthesia occurred.

Effects of Methyl Acetate as a Co-Solvent in Carbonate-Based Electrolytes for Improved Lithium Metal Batteries.

In lithium metal batteries (LMBs), electrolytes composed of salts and organic solvents play a significant role in transporting Li ions and creating the surface film on Li-metal anodes. Herein, the effect of methyl acetate (MA) as a co-solvent is reported, which enables the facilitated Li transport and formation of a robust solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) on the Li-metal anode. The symmetrical Li//Li cell tests show remarkable cycle stability of MA-based electrolytes at 3 mA/cm without obvious voltage fluctuation.

Studies on mass production and highly solar light photocatalytic properties of gray hydrogenated-TiO sphere photocatalysts.

In this paper, it is first reported that gray hydrogenated TiO sphere photocatalysts (H-TiO) with high reactivity to solar light are mass produced within a few minutes using an underwater discharge plasma modified sol-gel method at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. This plasma modified system is an easy one-step in-situ synthetic process and the crystallinity, hydrogenation, and spherical structure of H-TiO are achieved by the synergy effect between the continuous reaction of highly energetic atomic and molecular species generated from the underwater plasma and surface tension of water. The resultant H-TiO demonstrated high anatase/rutile bicrystallinity and extended optical absorption spectrum from the ultraviolet (UV) to visible range.

Yolk-Shell Polystyrene@Microporous Organic Network: A Smart Template with Thermally Disassemblable Yolk To Engineer Hollow MoS/C Composites for High-Performance Supercapacitors.

Yolk-shell-type polystyrene@microporous organic network (Y-PS@MON) materials were prepared by the Sonogashira coupling of tetra(4-ethynylphenyl)methane and 1,4-diiodobenzene on the surface of PS@SiO and by the etching of SiO. The diameter of PS yolk spheres and the thickness of MON shells were 150 and ∼10 nm, respectively. The thickness of the void space between the PS yolk and the MON shell was ∼30 nm.

High performance electrochemical glucose sensor based on three-dimensional MoS/graphene aerogel.

Two-dimensional (2D) nanosheets have been extensively explored as electrode materials for the development of high-performance electrochemical biosensors due to their unique structural characteristics. Nevertheless, 2D nanosheets suffer from sheet aggregation issues limiting the electrical conductivity of layered metal sulfides or hydroxides. Here, we report high-performance glucose biosensors based on a three-dimensional (3D) aerogel composed of interconnected 2D MoS and graphene sheet.

MnO Nanowire/Biomass-Derived Carbon from Hemp Stem for High-Performance Supercapacitors.

Hierarchical 3D nanostructures based on waste biomass are being offered as promising materials for energy storage due to their processabilities, multifunctionalities, environmental benignities, and low cost. Here we report a facile, inexpensive, and scalable strategy for the fabrication of hierarchical porous 3D structure as electrode materials for supercapacitors based on MnO nanowires and hemp-derived activated carbon (HC). Vertical MnO wires are uniformly deposited onto the surface of HC using a one-step hydrothermal method to produce hierarchical porous structures with conductive interconnected 3D networks.

Flexible and Disposable Sensing Platforms Based on Newspaper.

The flexible sensing platform is a key component for the development of smart portable devices targeting healthcare, environmental monitoring, point-of-care diagnostics, and personal electronics. Herein, we demonstrate a simple, scalable, and cost-effective strategy for fabrication of a sensing electrode based on a waste newspaper with conformal coating of parylene C (P-paper). Thin polymeric layers over cellulose fibers allow the P-paper to possess improved mechanical and chemical stability, which results in high-performance flexible sensing platforms for the detection of pathogenic E.

Fabrication of Flexible, Redoxable, and Conductive Nanopillar Arrays with Enhanced Electrochemical Performance.

Highly ordered and flexible nanopillar arrays have received considerable interest for many applications of electrochemical devices because of their unique mechanical and structural properties. Here, we report on highly ordered polyoxometalate (POM)-doped polypyrrole (Ppy) nanopillar arrays produced by soft lithography and subsequent electrodeposition. As-prepared POM-Ppy/nanopillar films show superior electrochemical performances for pseudocapacitor and enzymeless electrochemical sensor applications and good mechanical properties, which allowed them to be easily bent and twisted.

Hierarchical porous microspheres of the CoO@graphene with enhanced electrocatalytic performance for electrochemical biosensors.

The integration of organic and inorganic building blocks into hierarchical porous architectures makes potentially desirable electrocatalytic materials in many electrochemical applications due to their combination of attractive qualities of dissimilar components and well-constructed charge transfer pathways. Herein, we demonstrate the preparation of the hierarchical porous CoO@graphene (CoO@G) microspheres by one-step hydrothermal method to achieve high electrocatalytic performance for enzyme-free biosensor applications. The obtained CoO@G microspheres are consisted of the interconnected networks of CoO and graphene sheets, and thus provide large accessible active sites through porous structure, while graphene sheets offer continuous electron pathways for efficient electrocatalytic reaction of CoO.

Polyoxometalate-grafted graphene nanohybrid for electrochemical detection of hydrogen peroxide and glucose.

The electrochemical performances of electrochemical biosensors largely depend on electrode characteristics, such as size, composition, surface area, and electron and ion conductivities. Herein, highly efficient electrocatalytic polyoxometalate (POM) was directly deposited on polymeric ionic liquid (PIL)-functionalized reduced graphene oxide (rGO) in a simple manner. The nano-sized POM with PIL functional groups was uniformly distributed on the surface of rGO sheets.

Nanopillar films with polyoxometalate-doped polyaniline for electrochemical detection of hydrogen peroxide.

Design and fabrication of electrodes is key in the development of electrochemical sensors with superior electrochemical performances. Herein, an enzymeless electrochemical sensor is developed for detection of hydrogen peroxide based on the use of highly ordered polyoxometalate (POM)-doped polyaniline (PANI) nanopillar films. The electrodeposition technique enables the entrapment of POMs into PANI during electropolymerization to produce thin coatings of POM-PANI.

Hierarchical core/shell structure of MnO2@polyaniline composites grown on carbon fiber paper for application in pseudocapacitors.

Hierarchical core/shell structured arrays of MnO2@polyaniline (PANI) nanosheets are successfully deposited on the surface of carbon fiber paper (CFP) by a two-step method of a redox reaction-assisted deposition of MnO2 and post electrodeposition of PANI. The CFP is used as a three-dimensional (3D) current collector to ensure 3D transport of ions and electrons with a large surface area. In addition, the electrodeposition technique enables conformal and thin coating of a layer of PANI across the entire MnO2 nanosheet.

Three-Dimensional Expanded Graphene-Metal Oxide Film via Solid-State Microwave Irradiation for Aqueous Asymmetric Supercapacitors.

Carbon-based electrochemical double-layer capacitors and pseudocapacitors, consisting of a symmetric configuration of electrodes, can deliver much higher power densities than batteries, but they suffer from low energy densities. Herein, we report the development of high energy and power density supercapacitors using an asymmetric configuration of Fe2O3 and MnO2 nanoparticles incorporated into 3D macroporous graphene film electrodes that can be operated in a safe and low-cost aqueous electrolyte. The gap in working potential windows of Fe2O3 and MnO2 enables the stable expansion of the cell voltage up to 1.

High density decoration of noble metal nanoparticles on polydopamine-functionalized molybdenum disulphide.

Here, we report a highly stable colloidal suspension of nanoparticles (i.e., Pt and Au)-deposited MoS2 sheets, in which polydopamine (PD) serves as surface functional groups.

Polyoxometalate-mediated one-pot synthesis of Pd nanocrystals with controlled morphologies for efficient chemical and electrochemical catalysis.

Polyoxometalates (POMs), as inorganic ligands, can endow metal nanocrystals (NCs) with unique reactivities on account of their characteristic redox properties. In the present work, we present a facile POM-mediated one-pot aqueous synthesis method for the production of single-crystalline Pd NCs with controlled shapes and sizes. The POMs could function as both reducing and stabilizing agents in the formation of NCs, and thus gave a fine control over the nucleation and growth kinetics of NCs.

Multifunctional polyurethane sponge for polymerase chain reaction enhancement.

Selective filtering of target biomaterials from impurities is an important task in DNA amplification through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) enhancement and gene identification to save endangered animals and marine species. Conventional gene extraction methods require complicated steps, skilled persons, and expensive chemicals and instruments to improve DNA amplification. Herein, we proposed an alternative method for overcoming such challenges by imparting secondary functionality using commercially available polyurethane (PU) sponges and cost-effective fabrication approaches through polydopamine and polysiloxane coatings.

Coaxial RuO₂-ITO nanopillars for transparent supercapacitor application.

Supercapacitive properties of ruthenium oxide (RuO2) nanoparticles electrodeposited onto the indium tin oxide (ITO) nanopillars were investigated. Compared to conventional planar current collectors, this coaxially nanostructured current collector-electrode system can provide increased contact for efficient charge transport, and the internanopillar spacing allows easy access of electrolyte ions. The morphological and electrochemical properties depended on the thickness of the RuO2 layers, i.

High quality reduced graphene oxide through repairing with multi-layered graphene ball nanostructures.

We present a simple and up-scalable method to produce highly repaired graphene oxide with a large surface area, by introducing spherical multi-layered graphene balls with empty interiors. These graphene balls are prepared via chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of Ni particles on the surface of the graphene oxides (GO). Transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy results reveal that defects in the GO surfaces are well repaired during the CVD process, with the help of nickel nanoparticles attached to the functional groups of the GO surface, further resulting in a high electrical conductivity of 18,620 S/m.

Programmable peptide-directed two dimensional arrays of various nanoparticles on graphene sheets.

In this research, we report an innovative, chemical strategy for the in situ synthesis and direct two-dimensional (2D) arraying of various nanoparticles (NPs) on graphenes using both programmed-peptides as directing agents and graphenes as pre-formed 2D templates. The peptides were designed for manipulating the enthalpic (coupled interactions) constraint of the global system. Along with the functionalization of graphene for the stable dispersion, peptides directed the growth and array of NPs in a controllable manner.

Site-specific immobilization of gold binding polypeptide on gold nanoparticle-coated graphene sheet for biosensor application.

The effective and strong immobilization of enzymes on solid surfaces is required for current biological applications, such as microchips, biofuel cells, and biosensors. Gold-binding polypeptide (GBP), a genetically designed peptide, possesses unique and specific interactions with a gold surface, resulting in improved enzyme stability and activity. Herein we demonstrated an immobilization method for biosensor applications through site-specific interactions between GBP-fused organophosphorus hydrolase (GBP-OPH) and gold nanoparticle-coated chemically modified graphene (Au-CMG), showing enhanced sensing capability.

Characterization of a bacterial self-assembly surface layer protein and its application as an electrical nanobiosensor.

Bacterial cell surface layers (S-layers) are one of the most common outermost cell envelope components of prokaryotic organisms (Archaea and bacteria), which can self-assemble into two-dimensional (2D) crystalline arrays. Production and characterization of the bacterial S-layer protein (SLP) from Geobacillus stearothermophilus, a thermophilic bacterium, are demonstrated in this study. Based on this, purified SLPs were applied for wrapping around single-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and applying as electrochemical sensing tools.

Microwave-assisted synthesis of highly water-soluble graphene towards electrical DNA sensor.

Graphene sheets have the potential for practical applications in electrochemical devices, but their development has been impeded by critical problems with aggregation of graphene sheets. Here, we demonstrated a facile and bottom-up approach for fabrication of DNA sensor device using water-soluble sulfonated reduced graphene oxide (SRGO) sheets via microwave-assisted sulfonation (MAS), showing enhanced sensitivity, reliability, and low detection limit. Key to achieving these performances is the fabrication of the SRGOs, where the MAS method enabled SRGOs to be highly dispersed in water (10 mg mL(-1)) due to the acidic sulfonated groups generated within 3 min of the functionalization reaction.

Application of ultrasound stimulation in bone tissue engineering.

Many studies have been investigated on the effects of the low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) on bone healing, acceleration of bone mineralization and regeneration. Many researchers have focused on a more comprehensive understanding of the biological mechanism of the osteoblast by LIPUS because the osteoblast is an important cell in bone formation. The effects of LIPUS on the proliferation, gene expression of Runx2, Msx2, Dlx5, and AJ18, and the second messenger signaling of osteoblast were reported.